The land is owned by Abigail Alvarez, a philanthropist from New York who is passionate about the environment and healthy lifestyle. Her family has various charitable foundations, including one in the Philippines funding scholarships, medical-dental missions and other programs for the disadvantaged Filipino. The land was bought for the value of the rich fertile soil and the former owner’s vision of showing the consumers the value of health thru eating the right food. Since the Alvarez family is living abroad, a group of their friends who have the same passion for the environment and healthy living, established Sanctuario Nature Farms Corp. (SNFC) to manage the Farm and was registered with the SEC as a non-stock, non-profit corporation on October 28, 2014 but started its operations in late 2015. The corporation was given an indefinite right of use of the land (Usufruct Agreement).
SNFC is an operating organization. It is located at Sitio Italaro, Brgy. Kayquit, Indang, Cavite. The Farm has 5regular staff, 5 part- time staff, 2 staff are hired on “as needed basis” and 5 members of the Board of Trustees.
SNFC’s Vision is “to develop a techno-centric organic farm focused on finding new technologies and economic ways of farming.” Its Mission is “to see a healthier Philippines by increasing the awareness of the benefits of organic produce thru training and education of individuals in the area of scientific and modern organic farming.”
Activities in the last two years were mostly rehabilitation of the farm soil and structures; coordinating with agricultural schools such as De La Salle –Bulacan, Cavite State University and UP Los Baños to send their students for practicum to the farm; attending agricultural fairs and seminars for new ideas and developing partnerships with other farms; training and meeting farmers and getting accreditation/certification from Department of Agriculture as an agricultural learning site.
